Non-attenuating light collimating articles for graphic arts

• US 8,441,730 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xiper Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xiper Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Kanga, Rustom Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOI, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US11/939,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20080110358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,008 Days
• Field of Search: 359/619, 359/620, 359/625, 359/742
• US Class Current: 359/619
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/30 Collimators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0006 Arrays G02B3/02, G02B5/188 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/08 with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens diffractive Fresnel lenses G02B5/1876
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/2008 characterised by the reflectors, diffusers, light or heat filtering means or anti-reflective means used
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/2014 Contact or film exposure of light sensitive plates such as lithographic plates or circuit boards, e.g. in a vacuum frame

Abstract

Various systems and methods are provided for non-attenuating light collimating articles. In one embodiment, among others, a phototool comprises a substrate; and a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles.

Claims

1. A phototool, comprising:

a photographic negative; and

a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the photographic negative, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles comprises one of the following;

a plurality of Fresnel lenses, an array of a plurality of prismatic light deflecting microlenses, or an array of a plurality of cylindrical microlenses.

2. The phototool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles are microreplicated on the first surface of the photographic negative.

3. The phototool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of Fresnel lenses is a plurality of refractive Fresnel lenses.

4. The phototool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of Fresnel lenses are total internal reflection Fresnel lenses.

5. The phototool of claim 1, further comprising an emulsion disposed on a second surface of the photographic negative.

6. A phototool, comprising:

a photographic negative;

a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the photographic negative, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles; and

an emulsion disposed on the microstructured surface.

7. The phototool of claim 6, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles comprises an array of a plurality of prismatic light deflecting microlenses.

8. The phototool of claim 6, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles are microreplicated on the first surface of the photographic negative.

9. A phototool, comprising:

a photographic negative; and

a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the photographic negative, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles that forms a Fresnel lens.

10. The phototool of claim 9, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles are non-attenuating.

11. A phototool, comprising:

a substrate;

a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles; and

an emulsion disposed on a second surface of the substrate, where the emulsion is a silver halide based emulsion.

12. The phototool of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles are microreplicated on the first surface of the substrate.

13. The phototool of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles are non-attenuating.

14. The phototool of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles is a plurality of Fresnel lenses.

15. The phototool of claim 14, wherein the plurality of Fresnel lenses is a plurality of refractive Fresnel lenses.

16. The phototool of claim 14, wherein the plurality of Fresnel lenses are total internal reflection Fresnel lenses.

17. The phototool of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles comprises an array of a plurality of prismatic light deflecting microlenses.

18. The phototool of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles comprises an array of a plurality of cylindrical microlenses.

19. A phototool, comprising:

a substrate;

a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles; and

an emulsion disposed on the microstructured surface, where the emulsion is a silver halide based emulsion.

20. The phototool of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles are non-attenuating.

21. The phototool of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles is a plurality of Fresnel lenses.

22. The phototool of claim 21, wherein the plurality of Fresnel lenses is a plurality of refractive Fresnel lenses.

23. The phototool of claim 21, wherein the plurality of Fresnel lenses are total internal reflection Fresnel lenses.

24. The phototool of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles comprises an array of a plurality of prismatic light deflecting microlenses.

25. The phototool of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light collimating articles comprises an array of a plurality of cylindrical microlenses.